Tethered toy vehicle control apparatus

Abstract

A tethered vehicle control apparatus is described which includes a control station and a remote station. A strand connecting the control station to the remote station exits from the remote station through an aperture for connection to a self-propelled toy vehicle. The control station and remote station are connected by a housing through which the strand extends and over which the vehicle passes as it circles the remote station. The control station includes a steering wheel upon which the strand is wound to adjust the length of the portion of the strand that connects the remote station to the toy vehicle in order to change the direction of movement of the toy vehicle as it rotates around the remote station.

What is claimed and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. A control apparatus for self-propelled toy vehicles comprising: a control station;   a remote station;   a connecting housing between said remote station and said control station;   a flexible strand extending from said control station to said remote station through said connecting housing and extending out of said remote station for connection to said toy vehicle; and   said control station including means for selectively adjusting the length of extension of said strand from said remote station, said adjusting means including a rotatable, generally semicircular drum and a steering wheel connected to said drum, said drum connected to one end of said strand, rotation of said steering wheel in one direction causing said strand to be wound onto said drum, pulling said vehicle inwardly toward said remote station, said control station further including stop means for limiting the degree of rotation of the steering wheel in either direction of rotation with said strand completely paid out when said steering wheel is at its limit in the other direction.